Hand transplants safe for children

Hand transplants are something we've seen in the news a lot lately and though it's becoming more common in adults children have not been able to become recipients, until now.

Boston hospital officials say it's important to improve appearance and quality of life in the youngest patients. And doctors say it won't be long before face transplants and other radical operations are offered, too.

More than 70 hands and at least 20 faces have been transplanted in adults. And doctors say it's clear these operations are safe enough to offer to children.

Doctors say children will potentially benefit even more from these procedures because they regrow nerves more quickly and have more problems with prosthetic hands.